Hotel Lincoln to feature rooftop lounge and coffee shop

There are plenty of rooftop lounges in the city, but it’s hard to find one where you can take in the sights from a distance. When it opens June 1, Hotel Lincoln’s rooftop bar and small plates restaurant (1816 N. Clark St.) will look out over Lake Michigan with an uninterrupted skyline view.

“You’re not looking at another building. The rooftop has sweeping views up and down Lincoln Park,” said Hotel Lincoln general manager Bob Shelley.

The yet-to-be-named lounge will have seating for 175 outdoors and 75 indoors and will feature hand-crafted cocktails and small bar bites courtesy of chef Paul Virant of neighboring restaurant Perennial Virant.

Expect fireboxes, grass, plants and a 7-foot glass wall that surrounds the perimeter of the rooftop for an unobstructed view. An express elevator will transport guests from the lobby to the lounge, which sits just atop the highest floor of the 12-story hotel.

Closer to earth, there’s Elaine’s Coffee Call, a coffee shop in the lobby honoring a former hotel telephone operator known for her attentiveness. When playwright David Mamet took up residence at Hotel Lincoln, Elaine would call his room every morning to ask about his beverage of choice.

The 30-seat spot is decorated in turn-of-the-century Lincoln Park style, with leather couches, hardwood floors and distressed wallpaper. (There’s also a portrait of Elaine, if you were wondering.) La Colombe coffee will be served, as well as create grab-and-go sandwiches, pastries and wraps courtesy of Boka Restaurant Group, which runs Perennial Virant as well as other local restaurants such as Boka, Girl and the Goat and GT Fish & Oyster.

Elaine’s Coffee Call, which opens on March 8 along with the hotel, will be open from 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. When it debuts in June, the rooftop lounge will be open from 5 p.m.-11 p.m. on weeknights and 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays.